Representative to Indonesia named to MND deputy post

Representative to Indonesia Andrew Hsia answers questions at the Taipei Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta, Indonesia, yesterday after being named as deputy minister of national defense.

Photo: CNA

Representative to Indonesia Andrew Hsia (夏立言) yesterday was named deputy minister of the Ministry of National Defense in charge of policy, drawing mix reactions from lawmakers.

At a question-and-answer session in the legislature, Premier Jiang Yi-hua (江宜樺) said that Hsia would be tasked with overseeing arms procurement policies, a position that has been vacant for about two months.

The position was left vacant on Aug. 1 when former vice minister of national defense Andrew Yang (楊念祖) was promoted after former minister of national defense Kao Hua-chu (高華柱) resigned over public outrage at the death of army corporal Hung Chung-chiu (洪仲丘), who died from alleged abuse. Yang resigned from his new post days later.

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Chen Ken-te (陳根德) questioned Hsia’s qualifications for the job because of the “lack of professionalism” in defense-related affairs he showed as he fielded questions during the session.

Jiang said that the appointment was made after consultations with President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the defense ministry.

Hsia has the expertise required for the position, which is similar to his predecessor’s, Jiang said.

Minister of National Defense Yen Ming (嚴明), who succeeded Yang, said he welcomed having more experienced diplomats in the ministry.

According to the Executive Yuan, Hsia will be the third civilian deputy defense minister under the Ma administration since May 2008, following Yang and Representative to Israel Chang Liang-jen (張良任).

KMT Legislator Lin Yu-fang (林郁方) praised the appointment.

Hsia, previously stationed in New York, is fluent in English and experienced in dealing with the US government, while also possessing a broad knowledge of international politics, which qualifies him to be a deputy defense minister, the key person who communicates with the US about arms procurement policies, Lin said.

Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) said the appointment was “illogical” because Hsia lacked experience in handling defense-related affairs and was not well-acquainted with such issues.

There is no comparison between Yang and Hsia because Yang specialized in military strategy before he entered the ministry, Hsiao said.

Hsia resigned as deputy minister of foreign affairs in August 2009 after a cable sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs instructing foreign missions to decline all forms of foreign aid in the aftermath of Typhoon Morakot was disclosed by a newspaper, sparking a public backlash.

Elsewhere, Vice Minister of Education Chen Te-hua (陳德華) is to succeed Deputy Minister of Education Chen Yi-hsing (陳益興), while Council of Indigenous Peoples Chief Secretary Chen Cheng-chia (陳成家) was appointed deputy minister of the council, the Executive Yuan said in a statement.

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